The relationship between aspects of personal authority in the family in the intergenerational family system and intimacy between married individuals

Date

1997-08

Authors

Carmack, John

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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between intergenerational family processes and intimacy between married individuals. Intergenerational family process variables were measured by the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire developed by Bray, Williamson, and Malone. Intimacy between married individuals was measured by the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships inventory developed by Olson and Schaefer.

This project investigated the relationship between individual scores on the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire and individual scores on the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Inventory. Likewise, this project studied which aspects of personal authority in the intergenerational family system affected intimacy between married individuals.

Correlations were made between the scores on various subscales from both instruments and utilized step-wise regression analysis to determine which aspects of personal authority in the family system predict intimacy between married individuals. Five hypotheses were used. The sample was obtained from appeals to local churches, employees from a private psychiatric hospital, a weekend retreat for men and women, and a civic organization.

The findings indicate that Spousal Intimacy was a significant predictor of intimacy between married individuals. Personal Authority was a significant contributor to Sexual Intimacy. Other aspects of Personal Authority in the Family System which measured intergenerational processes were not significant predictors of intimacy between married individuals. Correlation results were consistent with the regression analysis.

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Keywords

Social sciences, Psychology, Intergenerational family processes, Intimacy in marriage

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